Antipick lock

ABSTRACT

The key plug of a lock pin tumbler cylinder is equipped with one or more side pins, each of which is in cam relation to one or two tumblers so that the tumblers when moving by their spring pressure to a locking position will cause the side pins to project beyond a side of the key plug. Moreover, each side pin is in cam relation to the cylinder body so as to be pressed toward a tumbler when the key plug tends to rotate. The side pins do not contribute a part of the lock combination, but will move a limited amount only into a side bore in the cylinder whereby to dog the key plug against rotating movement. Picking torque that may be applied to the key plug then will be transferred through the side pins to the cylinder. Also, a tumbler or coacting side pin alternately will move into a portion of the keyway during an attempt to pick the tumblers.

United States Patent i111 3,59o,6i5

[7.2] Inventor Jerald Schultz Woodmere, N.Y.

{2l} Appl No. 11.427

[22] Filed Feb. 16, 1970 [45| Patented July 6, 1971 [73] Assignee Eaton Yale & Towne Inc.

Cleveland, Ohio Continuation-impart ol application Ser. No. 716,824, Mar. 28, 1968, now abandoned.

[541 ANrrPlcK Lock Primary Examiner-James A. Leppinlt Assistant Examiner- Robert L. Wolfe Attorney-Teagno & Toddy ABSTRACT: The key plug of a lock pin tumbler cylinder is equipped with one or more side pins, each of which is in cam relation to one or two tumblers so that the tumblers when moving by their spring pressure to a locking position will cause the side pins to project beyond a side of the key plug. Moreover, each side pin is in cam relation to the cylinder body so as to be pressed toward a tumbler when the key plug tends to rotate. The side pins do not contribute a part ofthe lock combination, but will move a limited amount only into a side bore in the cylinder whereby to dog the key plug against rotating movement. Picking torque that may be applied to the key plug then will be transferred through the side pins to the cylinder. Also, a tumbler or coacting side pin alternately will move into a portion of the keyway during an attempt to pick the tumblers.

PATENTEU JUL-s Isn 3,590,515 snm 1 nf 2 ATTORNEYS INVENTOR J. SCHULTZ 5 412 l/ da mmf xmilzmw Alnwick Lock This application is a Continuation-In-Part of my earlier application Ser. No. 716,824 filed Mar. 28, 1968 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to a lock, and more particularly to that type of lock in which a key plug is mounted for rotation within a cylinder and is released for rotation upon the setting of a series of tumblers to a predetermined position. The invention is best utilized in a pin tumbler lock of the class in which there are tumblers and tumbler drivers that a key will set to the periphery of the key plug so that the key plug may be rotated.

Cylinder locks of the particular class are well known and have the considerable advantage that many combinations of keys may be obtained. My invention related particularly to novel means for rendering a lock of the particular class highly pick resistant, if not pickproof. I may say that samples of may lock have been submitted to experts for picking, and to this date have proven entirely pickproof.

In the novel concept of my invention I utilize doggng means controlled by one or more of the tumblers of the key plug for dogging the key plug to the cylinder. Thereby I control the picking torque that those skilled in the art will recognize is necessary for the picking of a pin tumbler cylinder. The clogging means comprise a side pin that will move alternately with a tumbler into the path in which the tumbler moves for preventing effective operation of a picking tool.

As a feature of my invention, I utilize one or more side pins cooperating with one ore more tumblers and adapted to engage the lock cylinder. Each side pin is so related to a tumbler that the side pin merely forestalls picking and is in no way related to the hitting of the tumbler. Therefore the tumbler, which is set by the key of the lock, determines the combination in the same manner as though the side pin did not exist. The side pin may decrease somewhat the number of tumbler combinations that can be used when keying the lock, but the pin need not affect the possible combinations to any great extent.

Because of the particular relationship between my side pin or side pins and the tumblers, as will be made clear from a reading of the specification that follows, my construction is far superior to the well known side bar construction found in numerous prior art patents. This is due to the fact, as those skilled in the art will appreciate, that the side bar of the prior art is controlled through the particular bittings of the turnblers. In the cylinder that I have contributed to the art, the side pin or side pins have no relation to bittings of tumblers, but are merely present to prevent the application of effective picking procedures.

As a particular feature, I mount a side pin in a key plug so as to cooperate with one or more tumblers, the side pin being propelled by tumbler pressure from a bore in the key plug into a bore or the equivalent so as to dog the key plug to the lock cylinder. The side pin is so formed that the tumbler pressure will move it into the cylinder bore a limited amount only, the purpose of the side pin in that position being simply to dog the key plug. In one form of my invention, there is a camming relationship between the side pin and the cylinder. I utilize that relationship for moving the side pin entirely into the key plug so as to enter the path of the tumblers with which it coacts when the tumblers have been lifted by a key for setting the tumbler combination.

As those skilled in the art will appreciate, there may conceivably be used a picking tool or partial key that will lift those tumblers controlling the one or more side pins, enabling picking torque to be applied to the key plug. However, in that event, the presence of the picking tool or key within the key plug will prevent the use of a further tool for picking the remainder of the tumblers.

As a further feature of the invention, where a tumbler coni trols a side pin, I prefer to taper the tumbler driver cooperating with that tumbler. The driver then can move so as to apply its spring pressure against the tumbler even though the key plug is not precisely in its locked position, as may be the case due to manufacturing tolerances. As a preferred feature, l also arrange a slight clearance between the tumbler and side pin when the key plug is in locked position. Then, should the tumbler driver happen to hang up, the tumbler nevertheless will drop freely to its normal locking position. Therefore, the tumblers will move to position holding the side pin, and the tumblers will have to be set by a key in order to permit rotation of the key plug.

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may e better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of may invention that will be described hereinafter. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. il shows a longitudinal section of a pin tumbler lock utilizing my invention.

FIG. 2 shows a section on the line 2-2 in FIG. l.

FIG. 3 shows a section on the line 3-3 in FIG. l.

FIG. l is similar to FIG. 2, but illustrates release operation of the lock by a key.

FIG. 5 is a partial section showing a further form of my invention.

FIG. 6 shows another form.

FIG. 7 shows a form similar to that in FIG. 3, but having a different side pin arrangement.

FIG. ti is a partial view showing the tumbler and pin relation on the line ik@ in FIG. '7.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. ll of the drawings, I show a lock cylinder il() of a conventional type having a bore lll in which a key plug l2 is mounted to rotate. A series of longitudinally spaced tumblers, indicated generally by the numeral i3, is mounted in bores in the key plug l2, and there is a corresponding series of tumbler drivers 14 assembled in chambers in the cylinder l0. Also, there are usual springs l5 acting against the drivers la, and normally pressing drivers 14 and tumblers llEl to positions in which their meeting surfaces are out of aligned relation to the periphery of key plug l2, as in FIG. ll, holding the key plug in its locked position. A proper key inserted into the keyway of key plug l2 naturally will rnove tumblers 13 and drivers M and will set them to the periphery of the key plug l2, permitting the key plug to rotate.

The particular type of lock offers considerable advantages and has been very widely used for many years. That is true despite the fact that it has been found possible to pick the tumblers. Thus, when applying to the key plug a slight torque, known as picking torque, a person who is skilled in the art may be able to use a procedure that will set the tumblers in release position. I shall now describe the novel contribution that enables me to prevent picking ofthe tumblers, as l do believe.

Referring to FlGS. ll to d, l equip the key plug l2 with at least one side pin 117 that can slide in an opening 1S extending in a direction transverse to the series of tumblers 113. As perhaps best seen in FIG. il, the opening l@ supports side pin 17 in an axis extending medially between two tumblers 13a, 13b, and below the upper line of keyway 16. The inner end of side pin ll7 has an inclined cam surface 119 for coacting with the tumblers 13a, llBb so that those tumblers will be in cam relation to side pin l' and will slide the side pin outwardly when the tumblers move to their normal locking positions, as illustrated in FIGS. l, 2 and 3. The tumblers may have a standard shape including a rounded lower end llll3, as shown, permitting an even better camming relation to side pin 17.

I form the lock cylinder 10 with a relatively small side bore 2@ that will be in aligned relation to the side pin 17 when the key plug l2 is in locked position. The plug l2 naturally will be in that position at a time when tumblers 13a, 13b move by their spring pressure to normal locking position, and those tumblers then will cause the side pin i7 to enter the side bore 20 in the cylinder. I call attention to the fact that the length of side pin 17 is such that the tumblers can move it into the bore 20 a limited amount only. It then is possible to form the outer end of side pin 17 with a cam portion 2l that will enable an inner surface of cylinder to cam the pin I7 out of the side bore when the key plug l2 rotates, as in FIG. 4l. Moreover, when in locking position, as in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cam portion 2l can fit closely within the end of side bore 20.

I do prefer to form theside pin I7 of a length that offers the pin a slight clearance between the tumblers and the side bore 20 when key plug 12 is in locked position. That clearance in effect is between the tumbler and side pin, as is clearly illustrated in 19a in FIG. 8. Thus, should tumbler drivers i4 fail to apply their spring pressure, as has been found possible in some circumstances, the tumblers that coact with the side pin will be free to drop and may move fully to their normal locking position.

A further side pin 17a, FIGS. ll and 3, is arranged at the opposed side of the series of tumblers I3 relatively tothe side pin 17, and will coact with two further tumblers lSc, 13d of the series of tumblers. The particular tumblers may cam the side pin 17a relatively to a side bore 20a in a cylinder lil, acting in the manner that I have described in connection with pin i7.

Together with the side pins i7, Ia l prefer to utilize the tumbler drivers M in a form having tapered lower end portions 22, offering clearance that will permit relatively free movements of the drivers i4 through the key plug may be in a disaligned position which is rotated slightly from its normal locking position. That slightly rotated position of key plug l2 may happen due to tolerances prevailing in the manufacture of of the lock, as will be understood, but the key plug in that position will not prevent free movements of a driver when near its release position.

I am fully aware that pin tumbler locks already have been equipped with side tumblers, but my invention does not reside in a side tumbler and it is necessary to know the particular operation of my side pins in order to understand the value of my contribution. Let us first assume that my lock is in a release position, using FIG. 4 simply for purposes of illustration. In FIG. 4 let us say that key plug l2 is rotated by key l( toward the locked position shown in FIG. 2. When key I( is withdrawn, as in FIG. 2, drivers Ml and tumbler l3b along with the other tumblers will move by their spring pressure to their normal locking position, FIGS. l, 2 and 3. That movement will be more surely eected due to the tapered lower ends 22 on drivers 14, and also perhaps due to the clearance between the tumblers and side pins, should key plug l2 have failed to rotate very precisely to locked position. It is conceivable that the key plug might yet interfere with a full movement of a\ driver I4 toits normal locking position, but the driver in any event will move to position pressing its corresponding tumbler 13 well within key plug l2 and away from coacting relation to lock cylinder l0. Thus, where the tumbler is one of those in combination with a side pin such as ll7, the tumbler will be free to drop into camming relation to the side pin.

It is hardly necessary to indicate that the tumblers of the series of tumblers 13 are differently bitted, that being understood, and I mention this merely because it is important when explaining the particular relation of the tumblers to the side pins 17, l7a. Thus, the tumblers 113, including tumblers 13a, 13b, 13C, 13d, will contribute the bitting combination of the lock. Side pins 17 and R711 need contribute no part of the lock combination. While differently bitted, the tumblers la, 13b, l3c, 13d when in normal locking position will in effect have the same positions relatively to side pins t7, ll7a, those being the positions shown in FIGS. l, 2 and 3. While moving to those positions, tumblers 13a, 13b, 13e, 13d will have cammed the side pins I7, 17a in an outward direction, causing them to enter the cylinder side bores 20, 20a a limiting amount only. Tumblers 1.311 and drivers I4 now are in locking position relatively to key plug l2 and cylinder lltl, and the outer ends 2l of pins l7,.l7a are in position dogging the key plug 12 against movement relatively tothe cylinder l0.

Now, should a person attempt to apply picking torque to the key plug l2, the forces that are due to the torque will be applied through the side pins 17, 17a to the cylinder 10. Thus, cylinder l0 will accept the torque that may be directed toward tumblers 13 and drivers 14, and the forces that are due to the torque will not be applied to the tumblers and drivers. A person naturally may move the tumblers while using a tool inserted into the keyway 16. However, the side pins 17, 17a will on the one hand dog the key plug l2 so that the person can obtain no indication of the tumbler setting, or will on the other hand move into a portion of the keyway i6 so that the tool cannot be manipulated to the necessary effect. lf we are to assume that it might be possible to pick a tumbler that cooperates with one side pin, that pin may continue to dog the key plug. lf we can further assume the pin may be released by picking, that pin will lie in a position preventing an effective use of the tool for picking further tumblers, and the key plug will remain locked.

As in a conventional lock cylinder, a key may move the tumblers i3 and drivers I4 to a set position permitting key plug l2 to rotate. While so moving, tumblers 13a, 13b, 13e, i3d will move away from the side pins i7, i711. If key plug l2 now is rotated, as we may consider is the case in FIG. 4, surfaces ofthe cylinder side bores 20, 20a will act against the cam end portion 2l of each side pin t7, 7a, causing those pins to move to positions entirely within the key plug l2. Then, the key plug no longer is dogged relatively to the cylinder l0 and may rotate freely, acting in a conventional way to operate a bolt or whatever lock mechanism may be connected to the key plug.

While I have shown two side pins I7, 17a in FIGS. ll and 3, my lock does not require two of the pins because it will offer excellent security when equipped with merely one side pin. Further, l may so arrange two side pins that they will cooperate with one tumbler in common, as for example the tumbler 13b in FIG. 7. Therefore, it is to be understood that l do not wish to limit my invention by a particular arrangement of side pins.

In FIG. 5 of the drawings, I show a further form of my invention in which there is a side pin lll' mounted to slide in a transverse opening in key plug H2. When key plug M2 is in locked position, side pin llll7 will be in aligned relation to a cylinder side bore in which pin lll'7 will have a sliding fit. A tumbler H3 is engaged by a spring pressed driver as in FIG. 2 of the drawings, and when pressed to locking position, not shown, will cam side pin 117 into the side bore I2@ a limited amount, causing that pin to dog the key plug M2 to cylinder l l0. Within the side bore 120 I mount a ball 23 that is pressed by a spring 24 for moving side pin 117 out of the side bore 120.

The spring 24 is so chosen that its effective pressure will be somewhat less than the spring pressure of the tumbler M3, enabling tumbler 3.13 to cam the side pin lll'7 to clogging position at the proper time. When tumbler H3 is moved to release position, the spring 24 will nevertheless cause side pin llll7 to move to position entirely within the key plug 112, as shown in FIG. S, so that the plug no longer is dogged to the cylinder. It also will be seen in FIG. 5 that there is merely the single tumbler i113 that cooperates with side pin M7. Also, tumbler M3 cooperates with an opposed side pin lla, which is partly shown. The opposed side pin l 17a may be constructed like the side pin lll'l, or if preferred may have other forms such as that of the side pin 17 I already have described. In any event, the side pins 117, ll7a will be moved by the tumbler M3 in the manner that I have described in connection with tumblers I7, 17a in FIGS. l to 4, entering side bores a limited amount to dog the key plug relatively to the cylinder.

I may utilize my invention in still further forms, one of which I show in FIG. 6. Thus, there may for example be a side pin 217 having a diameter somewhat larger than that of a cylinder side bore 220, while having a reduced end portion 221 that will have a sliding fit in side bore 220 and that may enter a limited amount into that ore. A spring pressed tumbler 213 will cam side pin 217 relatively to side bore 220, and that pin will be moved out of the side bore 220 by a spring pressed ball 223, the operation being quite like that achievedby the fonn shown in FIG. 5.

Having described my invention in detail, I believe it will be understood that my novel antipick lock utilizes means that will dog a key plug against rotation relatively to a lock cylinder, while also obstructing an effective operation of a tool that may be used for defeating the lock.

I now claim:

l. ln a lock of the type in which a key plug is mounted .for rotation in a cylinder, there being a series of tumblers longitudinally spaced in said key plug and spring pressed to a normal position locking the key plug against rotation, said key plug being released for rotation relatively to a locked position when each tumbler is moved against its spring pressure and set in a predetermined release position aligned with the periphery of the key plug by a key inserted into a keyway in the key plug, the improvement that comprises a side pin mounted for sliding in a transverse opening extending between the keyway and the periphery of the key plug, said transverse opening supporting the side pin in position for engaging a tumbler of said series of tumblers while holding said pin remote from furthe'r tumblers of said series, a side bore for accepting an outer end portion of the side pin in the cylinder when the key plug is in locked posi tion, and cam surfaces coacting on said tumbler of said series of tumblers and on the inner end portion of the side pin for pressing an outer end portion of said side pin into the side bore of the cylinder when said tumbler moves toward normal locking position, in combination with further cam surfaces coacting on said side bore and on the .outer end portion of the side pin for pressing said side pin into engagement with sid tumbler when `the key plug tends toirotate away from locked position. v f

2. In claim l, the feature that thefcam surface on said tumbler of the series of tumblers is an end surface of the tumbler, and said tumbler having a continuous plain surface forming a side of the tumbler whereby said side pin when pressed by said further cam surfaces against said tumbler side will have no camming effect upon said tumbler.

3. In claim 2, the feature that said side pin has a length that offers clearance relatively to said side of the tumbler whereby to permit free movements of the tumbler when the key plug is in locked position.

4. In claim 2, the feature that two tumblers of said series of tumblers are in coacting relation to said side pin, each of said two tumblers controlling a movement of said side pin.

5. ln claim 2, the feature that there are to side pins, one on each side ofthe key plug.

6. In a lock of the type in which a key plug is mounted to rotate in a cylinder and is equipped with a series of longitudinally spaced tumblers engaged by spring pressed tumbler drivers in the cylinder, said tumblers and drivers being moved by the spring pressure to a normal position holding the key plug in a locked position in the cylinder, and permitting rotation of the key plug when a key that is inserted into the keyway of the key plug acts against the spring pressure to set the tum- .blers and drivers in release position at the periphery of the key plug, the improvement that comprises a side pin mounted for sliding in an opening transverse to the series of tumblers in the key plug, said transverse opening extending between the keyway and the periphery of the key plug and supporting the side pin in position for engaging a tumbler of said series of tumblers, further tumblers of said series being free from engagement relatively to said side pin so| that said side pinl and said further tumblers may move independently of their positions relatively to one another, a side bore formed in position that is in aligned relation to the side pin in the cylinder when the key plug is in locked position, coacting cam surfaces on an` end of said tumbler of said series of tumblers and o an inner end portion of the side pin, said tumbler effective through said cam surfaces to press an outer end portion of said pm into the side bore of the cylinder while said tumbler moves toward its normal position, further vcam surfaces coacting on said side bore and on the outer end portion of the side pin for pressing said pin into engagement with said tumbler when the key plug tends to rotate away from locked position, said tumbler having a continuous plain surface forming a side of said tumbler whereby said side p'in vjhen pressed against the tumbler side by said further cam surfaces will have no camming effect on the tumbler, and saidV side pin having a length permitting clearance relatively'l tothe side of the tumbler so that said tumbler can move freely when the key plug is in locked position.

7. In claim 6, the feature that the tumbler driver engaging said tumbler of the sries of tumblers has a tapered end portion coacting with that tumbler.

8. In claim 6, the feature that two tumblers of said series of tumblers are in coacting relation to said side pin, each of said two tumblers controlling a movement ofthe side pin. 

1. In a lock of the type in which a key plug is mounted for rotation in a cylinder, there being a series of tumblers longitudinally spaced in said key plug and spring pressed to a normal position locking the key plug against rotation, said key plug being released for rotation relatively to a locked position when each tumbler is moved against its spring pressure and set in a predetermined release position aligned with the periphery of the key plug by a key inserted into a keyway in the key plug, the improvement that comprises a side pin mounted for sliding in a tranSverse opening extending between the keyway and the periphery of the key plug, said transverse opening supporting the side pin in position for engaging a tumbler of said series of tumblers while holding said pin remote from further tumblers of said series, a side bore for accepting an outer end portion of the side pin in the cylinder when the key plug is in locked position, and cam surfaces coacting on said tumbler of said series of tumblers and on the inner end portion of the side pin for pressing an outer end portion of said side pin into the side bore of the cylinder when said tumbler moves toward normal locking position, in combination with further cam surfaces coacting on said side bore and on the outer end portion of the side pin for pressing said side pin into engagement with said tumbler when the key plug tends to rotate away from locked position.
 2. In claim 1, the feature that the cam surface on said tumbler of the series of tumblers is an end surface of the tumbler, and said tumbler having a continuous plain surface forming a side of the tumbler whereby said side pin when pressed by said further cam surfaces against said tumbler side will have no camming effect upon said tumbler.
 3. In claim 2, the feature that said side pin has a length that offers clearance relatively to said side of the tumbler whereby to permit free movements of the tumbler when the key plug is in locked position.
 4. In claim 2, the feature that two tumblers of said series of tumblers are in coacting relation to said side pin, each of said two tumblers controlling a movement of said side pin.
 5. In claim 2, the feature that there are to side pins, one on each side of the key plug.
 6. In a lock of the type in which a key plug is mounted to rotate in a cylinder and is equipped with a series of longitudinally spaced tumblers engaged by spring pressed tumbler drivers in the cylinder, said tumblers and drivers being moved by the spring pressure to a normal position holding the key plug in a locked position in the cylinder, and permitting rotation of the key plug when a key that is inserted into the keyway of the key plug acts against the spring pressure to set the tumblers and drivers in release position at the periphery of the key plug, the improvement that comprises a side pin mounted for sliding in an opening transverse to the series of tumblers in the key plug, said transverse opening extending between the keyway and the periphery of the key plug and supporting the side pin in position for engaging a tumbler of said series of tumblers, further tumblers of said series being free from engagement relatively to said side pin so that said side pin and said further tumblers may move independently of their positions relatively to one another, a side bore formed in position that is in aligned relation to the side pin in the cylinder when the key plug is in locked position, coacting cam surfaces on an end of said tumbler of said series of tumblers and on an inner end portion of the side pin, said tumbler effective through said cam surfaces to press an outer end portion of said pin into the side bore of the cylinder while said tumbler moves toward its normal position, further cam surfaces coacting on said side bore and on the outer end portion of the side pin for pressing said pin into engagement with said tumbler when the key plug tends to rotate away from locked position, said tumbler having a continuous plain surface forming a side of said tumbler whereby said side pin when pressed against the tumbler side by said further cam surfaces will have no camming effect on the tumbler, and said side pin having a length permitting clearance relatively to the side of the tumbler so that said tumbler can move freely when the key plug is in locked position.
 7. In claim 6, the feature that the tumbler driver engaging said tumbler of the series of tumblers has a tapered end portion coacting with that tumbler.
 8. In claim 6, the feature that two tumblers of said series of tumblers are in coactinG relation to said side pin, each of said two tumblers controlling a movement of the side pin. 